More than a b-boy stance

For this weeks blog post I would like to focus on a different element of hip hop culture most people know as breakdancing, but is referred to as b-boying and the dancers are b-boys and b-girls. There are a lot of comments on the use of the word breakdancing in the hip-hop community. Many b-boys/b-girls reject the term ‘breakdancing’ as a term made up by the media that symbolizes the 'co-optation of the art form.' In other words, a word used to incorporate breakers and the culture into mainstream culture. This type of dance originated in New York City in the 1970s by street dancers. It wasn’t until the late 1990s b-boying and the culture around it became popular. Today, b-boying has a come a long way and there are b-boys and girls, as well as crews from all over the world. B-boying has made its way into mainstream culture, while also still maintaining a sense of underground credibility.

The one thing I love about watching b-boys/b-girls and battles is everyone has their own individual style and it varies depending on where the dancer is from and their influences. B-boying is easy to recognize, since there are four primary elements (toprock, downrock, power moves, freezes), but dancers combine the moves in different ways and add their own style to them. Most of the dance and battles are freestyled and change with the music/beat. Click here to learn more about b-boying.

B-boying has become a popular street dance style and part of hip-hop culture in many countries. Several international b-boy competitions are held each year and I would like to highlight a few of them. There are so many I cannot go into detail and I don’t expect you to read about each one, but I just want to give you an idea of the culture. 


Battle of the Year
Battle of the Year is an annual international b-boying non-profit event that began 20 years ago in Germany, but is now focused in France. It is a platform for B-Boys and Hip Hop culture in general and an opportunity for all participants to express themselves in a peaceful and non-racist environment. Crews (as opposed to individuals) compete from all over the world.

The Notorious IBE 2011 
Every year the IBE is held in the Netherlands and invites worldwide renowned dancers (bboys & bgirls, lockers, poppers, house dancers), DJ's, photographers, video editors and special guests. The program includes battles, workshops, talkshows, danceshows, exhibitions and music performances. 

R16 Korea

South Korea is home to the international breaking competition R16 which is sponsored by the government and began in 2007. The main event features sixteen B-Boy crews representing fifteen countries competing in a two day tournament for world championship titles in two categories: best crew performance and best crew battle. The festival features graffiti artists, street wear designers, musical performers and dancers who specialize in hip-hop, popping, locking and other urban arts subcultures from South Korea and other countries. 

Red Bull BC One
Sixteen of the world's best B-Boys meet to compete and to determine in a 1-on-1 knock-out-battle who is “The One.”

Floor Wars

"Our aim is to inspire both newbies and professionals of the break dance scene, and to provide a forum for networking and exchanging of ideas and experiences."

The UK also hosts two international competitions: The UK B-Boy Championships and the World Street Dance Championships.

As you can see by the number of competitions, b-boying has become a popular way to unite different countries and share a common form of expression. After searching all of these international b-boy competitions, I am now making it one of my goals in the near future to travel to one of these countries and witness a battle in person with a live crowd. Watching a video is just not as good. However, all of the links will bring you to more information on each one and more b-boying videos. Sick bboy photos. Enjoy!